My Supplements

One of the questions that readers ask me the most is what supplements I take. While I respond to individual email requests answering their questions, until now I have resisted writing generally on this topic.

I do study supplements, but am no expert. Eventually, however, I've realized that no one is. Certainly not our doctors, most of whom don't know or care the first thing about supplements.

Most doctors will tell you that supplements are worthless. That they are worse than useless, giving you no more than expensive urine, is a famous line I remember from a doctor's article years ago.

I do agree that most supplements are nothing but a waste of money. This goes double for supplements that supposedly control -- or worse are reputed to "cure" -- diabetes. In fact, I've written often here about how some people who should know better than I do say we still don't have any high quality clinical trials of the efficacy of any supplements. I actually called my most recent article on the subject, "Snake Oil Supplements."

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With all of these caveats, I have nevertheless studied the subject carefully. My library contains and I have read all the many reference works and books reviewing supplements. While proof that they will help me is totally lacking or incomplete, I know that I am too old to wait for it.

So, without further ado here is the list of supplements that I am taking right now. This list changes regularly as I learn about supplements that I think -- or hope -- will help my body or mind to function better or that I begin to doubt:

Magnesium 150 mg three times per day for normal muscle and nerve function, to keep my heart rhythm steady, to support my immune system, to help keep my bones strong, and to help regulate my blood glucose level

Alive multi-vitamin without iron three times per day, just in case

This list is in no particular order. The omega-3 and just about any brand of multi-vitamin probably have the best degree of proof that they will help us.

Do you have serious issues with any of these supplements? Or do you have some others that you think that we should use?